Gardens

Victoria, B.C. is known as the “city of gardens,” and rightly so. The mild year-round climate permits the growth of nearly every type of plant, including palm trees. The British brought many things to Victoria when they came, but apart from a love of all things tea related, perhaps it is the love of gardens that is most significant to the aesthetically minded! Just strolling through downtown Victoria, one can see many stunning gardens, flowering trees, and hanging baskets. Located in and around Victoria, one finds many amazing gardens that have taken both these British passions and combined them for a civilised and relaxing experience. Take in the sights and scents, relax with a cup of lovely tea, and for those feeling a bit peckish, partake of a sumptuous afternoon tea or a light treat.

Abkhazi Garden

The beautiful Abkhazi Garden was started in the family home of Prince and Princess Abkhazi after World War II. Purchased in 2000 by the Land Conservancy, the legacy of their love for each other continues. Prince Nicholas was the last crown prince of Abkhazi on the Baltic Sea. He was living in Paris after his exile during the Bolshevik Revolution, when he happened to meet Peggy Pemberton-Carter. World War II would put their blossoming romance on hold. Both would be captured, Peggy in Shanghai, and Nicholas fighting for the French army. It was not till 1946 that they met again in New York and married. They chose Victoria to settle, their garden a testament to the love they shared.

Here you can enjoy the beauty of the garden and partake of the delectable Royal Abkhazi High Tea. Afternoon Tea is also offered, as well as lunch, or for a lighter bite, Elevenses.

Buchart Gardens

Buchart Gardens has a long history closely associated with the production of Portland Cement. It was a time of great change in Victoria, and indeed, all the world. Robert Pim Buchart would be at the forefront of the building boom, learning of limestone deposits on Vancouver Island. He would open a quarry near the Todd Inlet, shipping his Portland cement out by ship, the burlap sack rather than the barrel, his own innovation and one that gave him an edge over his competitors. Eventually, the limestone would run out on this site, but the Bucharts were now well established, having built a home and a life here for themselves and their family. It was Robert’s wife Jenny who would transform the quarry into something beyond belief.

Jenny’s vision to transform the unsightly rock quarry into one of the most famous gardens in the world was astounding. More astounding was that she was the one on the side of the rock face in a bosun chair stuffing plants into the cracks in the rock face. She was not ever idle, it seems. Jenny had already established gardens around her stately residence, and the tradition of serving tea to visitors, one and all, as word of her astounding gardens spread. Jenny didn’t mind the company, and the price of admission was to sit down and have a cuppa!

It was not till after World War II that things really took off. Jenny’s grandson, Ian Ross had returned from the war, having been gifted the gardens on his 21^st birthday prior to the war. Upon his return, it was a mess; overgrown and needing a lot of work. Ian decided to offer it to the city of Victoria for $1. They turned him down. Taking after his grandmother, Ian rolled up his sleeves and got to work, transforming the gardens into the paradise it is today.

Buchart Gardens is truly a jewel, and is a National Historic Site of Canada for good reason. After strolling through the extensive and ever-changing gardens, one can partake of a delightful afternoon tea in the old family home, which houses a fine dining restaurant overlooking the gardens. The gardens are open 365 days a year, offering delights of every kind for every season.

Butterfly Gardens

Butterfly Gardens offers the visitor a wonderful indoor portal to the tropics. Inside the lushly planted garden, there are poison dart frogs, large iguanas, flamingos, tropical ducks, up to 70 species of free-flying butterflies, free-flying tropical birds, tortoises and koi. Also on site, an insectarium offers a glimpse into the often-hidden bugs’ lives.

Finnerty Gardens

Located at the University of Victoria, Finnerty Gardens is a hidden gem. Nestled into the greenery on the university endowment lands, this garden is an oasis of peace in a busy world. Showcasing many native trees and plants, Finnerty offers the visitor a pleasant stroll on a hot day.

The Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific)

Another smaller garden, this one is located 12 km from downtown Victoria. As a place for education, this garden is cared for by staff, volunteers, and students. Beautiful and tranquil, one can take a break from the world. A café style restaurant is on site, open daily offering a variety of delectable delights

Government House

Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the Ceremonial home of all British Columbians. This 36-acre garden boasts a Garry oak ecosystem and is open dawn to dusk year-round. Available on site is the Carey Castle Interpretive Centre and Tea Room.

Hatley Park National Historic Site

One of Victoria’s least known gardens, Hatley Park’s beautiful gardens have been cultivated for over 100 years. The gardens are part of the legacy of the Dunsmuir family, Scottish coal barrons who made their fortune in Victoria. They must have been homesick for their native Scotland as they blessed Victoria with two castles, Hatley Castle and Craigdaroch Castle (located in Victoria). The Castle was designed by Samuel MacLure for the Dunsmuir family as a retirement home. MacLure created a Norman style tower with two Tudor-revival wings. On 1 May 1910, the Dunsmuir family moved into the largest private residence on the west coast.

The castle would serve many purposes over the years after the Dunsmuirs no longer required it. In 1940, it became a training establishment for naval sub-lieutenants. After this, it would bear several military monikers: the HMCS Royal Roads, the Royal Canadian Naval College, RCN-RCAF Royal Roads, and the Royal Roads Military College whose last class graduated in 1995. At this point, the building would change from a military institution to a university, Royal Roads University.

Through these changes, the gardens were preserved. Boasting an Italian Garden, a rose garden and a Japanese Garden, as well as beautiful native forest, this should not be missed. Developing at the same time as the world famous Buchart Gardens, the designer of the Japanese gardens at Buchart Gardens, Isaburo Kishida, also designed the Japanese Garden for Mrs. Dunsmuir. Truly one of Victoria’s best kept secrets. X-Men fans, however will recognise Hatley Castle as the exterior for Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youth!

Gardens

Abkhazi Garden

Buchart Gardens

Butterfly Gardens

Finnerty Gardens

The Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific)

Government House

Hatley Park National Historic Site

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Past Excursions

Gardens

Abkhazi Garden

Buchart Gardens

Butterfly Gardens

Finnerty Gardens

The Gardens at HCP (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific)

Government House

Hatley Park National Historic Site

Let’s plan your adventure.

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From our Blog

Past Excursions